BHUBANESWAR 25-Jul-2012 352
Odisha boy Avilash Mishra tasted his maiden international success by emerging champion in the Elcha Junior (U-16) National Tennis Tournament at Elcha in Spain earlier July 22. He defeated Alexandro Diaz of Spain 6-4, 6-2 in the final to receive a prize coupon worth 200 Euro. A trainee of Bhubaneswar-based SS Tennis Academy, Avilash beat Mesia Jose Antonio of Italy 6-7, 6-0, 10-7 earlier in the semifinal. The tournament also featured players from Serbia and Australia.
``I worked very hard throughout the camp which resulted in my victory. It was my first title triumph in a National championship and I feel very happy,’’ said Avilash. He thanked his coach S C Sarangi, family members and Sai International School for their support, which enabled him achieve the success.
Avilash along with his academy-mates Nishant Kumar, Ayush Panda, Nishant Mohanty and Adarsh Sahoo participated in the tournament during their tour to Spain for advance coaching. Avilash and Nishant Kumar won three qualifying rounds to book their berths in the main draw, where the latter lost in the second round. Panda, Mohanty and Sahoo posted two wins each in the qualifiers before losing in the final.
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PHOTO: Avilash Mishra (Left) and Alexandro Diaz with their trophies in Elcha, Spain on July 22, 2012.
